Patrice Evra reckons that Manchester United will play Real Madrid at some point this year in the Champions League, even as early as the next round. With the final at the Bernabéu this season, I know I’m not alone in hoping we play and beat Real Madrid on their own turf.

“I know we will play Real Madrid,” said Evra. “I can’t explain it. It is just a feeling. But I think we will play them, maybe even in the next round.”

This would mean Evra marking former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I once played against him in an Under-21 international but remember, I used to face him every day in training,” Evra continued. “He knows it could be very difficult for him. Ronaldo was a close friend and I was sad to see him leave. But you need to accept it. And the thing about Manchester United is, no one player is the star – the club is the star. Sir Alex Ferguson tries to maintain that every year.”